EU referendum: More Britons now want to leave the European Union than want to stay November 24, 2015 Those campaigning for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union were given a boost this morning as a new poll revealed Brexit support gaining momentum The OBR poll showed that for the first time in six months of asking the same questions a majority of the UK public now want to leave the EU. Some [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: What do free marketeers want from chancellor George Osborne and what do they think they’ll get? November 24, 2015 True to chancellor George Osborne’s record, tomorrow’s Autumn Statement promises to be a highly politicised event and one that has been mired by recent events including the Paris attacks, borrowing figures and controversy around cuts to tax credits, departments, services and welfare. Forgetting the political theatre, just what do free marketeers want from this Budget? Tax credits Let's [...]
US issues global travel alert amid “increased terrorist threats” as manhunt continues for Paris attackers November 24, 2015 The United States yesterday issued a worldwide alert for Americans planning to travel, citing the "increased terrorist threats". The State Department did not go as far as to advise people against travel, but said US citizens should be vigilant, especially in crowded places. "Current information suggests that (Islamic State), al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups continue to plan [...]
Spending Review 2015: Government announces it’s spending another £10bn a year on NHS November 24, 2015 The government has announced today that it will spend an additional £10bn a year above inflation by the end of the decade on the NHS. The additional funding will help pay for 800,000 more operations and treatments, 2m more diagnostic tests and 5.5m more outpatient appointments, according to the Treasury. The extra cash is also expected [...]
Institute of Economic Affairs debunks fears over 24-hour drinking: Licensing Act did not result in catastrophe November 24, 2015 Relaxing liquor licensing laws has benefited consumers and caused little harm, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) is arguing today. On the tenth anniversary of the Licensing Act and so-called 24-hour drinking, the free-market think tank has said that looser licensing laws “did not result in the catastrophic outcomes” predicted a decade ago. “The apocalypse [...]
London airport expansion: CBI president says UK can’t “pass the buck” to the next generation November 23, 2015 Britons can’t “pass the buck” to the next generation when it comes to building another runway, the president of Britain’s biggest business group has said. Speaking at the Airport Operators’ Association Conference earlier today, Confederation of British Industry (CBI) president Paul Drechsler said the “window of opportunity is closing fast” for more airport capacity. “Every [...]
Prime Minister David Cameron says he will make the case for UK military action in Syria November 23, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed that he will make the case for British air strikes in Syria. Speaking to MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon, Cameron said that he will make a separate statement on Thursday setting out how attacking the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria would help defeat the violent [...]
Uber and the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association to square off before MPs November 23, 2015 Top bosses from Uber and the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association are set to be questioned by MPs tomorrow morning. Both Uber's head of public policy in the UK Andrew Byrne and Licensed Taxi Drivers Association chairman Richard Massett will give evidence to the influential business, innovation and skills (BIS) committee as part of its inquiry into the digital economy. [...]
Argentina elections: Conservative candidate Mauricio Macri defeats rival Daniel Scioli to win Argentina elections November 23, 2015 Argentina's Conservative opposition candidate Mauricio Macri has won the country's elections, ousting ruling party rival Daniel Scioli with a small majority. Scioli conceded defeat when the votes showed Macri, the mayor of Buenos Aires, had secured 51.5 per cent of the votes to 48.5 per cent. Loud cheers erupted in Macri’s campaign headquarters earlier in the night, where his senior [...]
EU referendum: new CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn puts pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron over in/out vote November 23, 2015 Britain’s biggest business group is urging Prime Minister David Cameron to accelerate plans for the European Union referendum, warning that investment is beginning to suffer at the hands of a protracted renegotiation. Carolyn Fairbairn, who took over as director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) last week, has told City A.M. that uncertainty [...]